He said: 'As the force has accepted the resignation of the officer there was no need for the hearing to proceed. However, we will publish the findings of the investigation once we are legally able to do so.'

Ms Eastwood's husband, Mr Price, served as Cleveland's Chief Constable from 2003 until last October when he was dismissed for gross misconduct.

He was found guilty of asking a
colleague to inquire about a job for the former police authority
chairman's daughter and subsequently lying about it.

He was arrested in August 2011 and later dismissed from his £191,905 job, where he had been suspended on full pay.

His sacking also meant he escaped a
further inquiry into claims that he abused his force credit card and
concealed the arrest of his wife.

In March, Cleveland's former Deputy Chief Constable Derek Bonnard was dismissed for gross misconduct on six counts.

Mr Bonnard denied any wrongdoing and planned to appeal against the ruling, however, earlier this week it emerged he had reached a settlement with the force over disputed wages paid during his suspension and dropped the challenge.

As a result he will not now pursue an appeal against the dismissal or an action claiming sexual discrimination.